Guards on warpath
Security guards indicated they are willing to go on strike in order for the health ministry to revoke a tender awarded to Independent Security Services, as the company was allegedly not complying with the Labour Act.
Over 100 security guards employed by Rundu-based Independent Security Services held a protest action and have threatened to stay away from their work sites if they are not paid the salaries they are owed within seven days.
The security guards, led by the Namibia Independent Security Union (NISU), claim that about 82 of them are owed salaries for the months of March and April, while 44 say they were not paid in November.
Those who say they were not paid in March and April are owed a combined N$289 340, according to an itemised list seen by Namibian Sun, while those who say they were not paid in November are owed N$38 299.
Evalistus Ihemba, who read the petition on behalf of the group last Friday, said apart from the unpaid monies, they are experiencing a number of challenges.
These include the delayed salaries that affect their households, not being paid the minimum N$10 per hour rate and a lack of overtime payments for working on Sundays and public holidays.
“We have been patient for too long, waiting for our salaries. We have family members to take care of; we are starving with no food and no water at our households and some of us are renting and we end up losing our rented houses. “Security guards are not treated decently, but like commodities. We contribute to the safety and security of our people and economy, but our contribution is not recognised,” Ihemba said.
The guards also claim that since 2008 they have not received their monthly payslips, unless they explain to their employer why they need them.
Demands
According to the petition, the guards want the company to respect their rights, as stipulated in the Namibian Constitution. They also want their outstanding monies paid to them immediately.
They further demanded that the company pay them the N$10 per hour standard rate.
“We need the company to pay all our outstanding monthly salaries with immediate effect. We need the company to pay us according to the standard rate, as well as overtime for working on Sundays and public holidays and our back pay.
“If the company fails to meet our requirements before 20 December 2019, we as workers will have no option but to leave all the sites and they will remain without proper protection,” the petition said.
The guards indicated they are willing to go on strike in order for the health ministry to revoke a tender awarded to Independent Security Services, as the company was allegedly not complying with the Labour Act.
The petition was received by Alfred Hamunyongi, a patrol officer at the company's premises, who indicated it will be forwarded to the owner.
Attempts to get a comment from Independent Security Services managing director Progress Sipapela proved futile at the time of going to print.
KENYA KAMBOWE
The security guards, led by the Namibia Independent Security Union (NISU), claim that about 82 of them are owed salaries for the months of March and April, while 44 say they were not paid in November.
Those who say they were not paid in March and April are owed a combined N$289 340, according to an itemised list seen by Namibian Sun, while those who say they were not paid in November are owed N$38 299.
Evalistus Ihemba, who read the petition on behalf of the group last Friday, said apart from the unpaid monies, they are experiencing a number of challenges.
These include the delayed salaries that affect their households, not being paid the minimum N$10 per hour rate and a lack of overtime payments for working on Sundays and public holidays.
“We have been patient for too long, waiting for our salaries. We have family members to take care of; we are starving with no food and no water at our households and some of us are renting and we end up losing our rented houses. “Security guards are not treated decently, but like commodities. We contribute to the safety and security of our people and economy, but our contribution is not recognised,” Ihemba said.
The guards also claim that since 2008 they have not received their monthly payslips, unless they explain to their employer why they need them.
Demands
According to the petition, the guards want the company to respect their rights, as stipulated in the Namibian Constitution. They also want their outstanding monies paid to them immediately.
They further demanded that the company pay them the N$10 per hour standard rate.
“We need the company to pay all our outstanding monthly salaries with immediate effect. We need the company to pay us according to the standard rate, as well as overtime for working on Sundays and public holidays and our back pay.
“If the company fails to meet our requirements before 20 December 2019, we as workers will have no option but to leave all the sites and they will remain without proper protection,” the petition said.
The guards indicated they are willing to go on strike in order for the health ministry to revoke a tender awarded to Independent Security Services, as the company was allegedly not complying with the Labour Act.
The petition was received by Alfred Hamunyongi, a patrol officer at the company's premises, who indicated it will be forwarded to the owner.
Attempts to get a comment from Independent Security Services managing director Progress Sipapela proved futile at the time of going to print.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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